This lesson helps introduce students to the concept that temperature causes molecules and atoms to move faster and farther apart, which in turn causes the change from solid to liquid, and liquid to gas.

Introducing the Human Cell and DNA

Photo Credit: Clipart.com

Introduction

In this lesson, you will learn about the human cell and the genetic information stored inside of it through an online animation called From Cell to DNA.

Exploration

Go to From Cell to DNA. The short video you will see does not have a pause feature so be prepared to watch it more than once in order to answer these questions (you can record your answers on the From Cell to DNA student sheet):

Where in the human cell is the DNA stored?

Organize the following important terms based on size from smallest to largest: Chromatin, Nucleus, Chromosomes, Cell, Nucleosomes, Bases, DNA double helix.

What are the four bases or nucleic acids of DNA and how are they paired together?

What was the most surprising or interesting thing that you learned from this interactive?

You have been learning about the human cell and the genetic information—known as DNA—that is stored inside its nucleus. Now you should explore the role of DNA in specifying cell function in the human body.

First read through the following questions. When you are ready to begin, go to Tour of the Basics from Learn Genetics. Click on the tab that says “What is DNA?” You can record your answers to these questions on the What is DNA? student sheet.

What type of cells does the interactive explore in the human body? What function do they support?

Click Next.

What is the largest structure inside the cell?

Why is the nucleus an important cell structure?

Based on the image in the interactive, are there other structures inside the cell besides the nucleus?